Loose-leaf binder.



PATENTBD JAN. 9, 1906.

`L. SUSSMAN. Loos LEAP BINDER.

APPLIOATION FILED DEO.31,1904.

UNITED vSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEON SUSSMAN, OF BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SAMUEL WILNER AND ELIAS R. WILNER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1906.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEON SUssMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bayonne, in the county of Hudson, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Binders,

n of which-the following is a specification.

My invention relates to loose-leaf books or loose-leaf binders, and has for its object to provide a simple and eflicient construction for conveniently holding together a number of loose leaves forming a book or simply held together for the purpose of filing them, the device being so constructed that any leaf can be readily removed, if desired, and being also so constructed that additional leaves may be inserted and the binder or holder expanded or contracted within certain limits.

I will now proceed to describe certain typical embodiments of my invention7 as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and will then point out the features of novelty in the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of my invention, taken on line 1 l of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a partial plan of the device. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation onl line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line 4 4 of Fig.. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail showing a catch for holding the device in a released position. Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional elevations similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating two other forms of my invention and Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

I have shown my invention applied to a binder comprising two stiff covers A and a iieXible back B. Adjacent to one of the covers I secure to the back a metal strip C, carrying two or more members or sockets D, which project at right angles to said strip and are open at their free ends. The inner surfaces of these sockets are roughened-as, for instance, by screw-threading them. Adj a- Y cent to the other cover A is secured another metal strip E, similar to the strip C and carrying another set of members-vizinwardly projecting slides F-which are open at both ends. These slides F are adapted to project into the sockets D and to slide in them readily under certain circumstances, as will lbe explained hereinafter. Each of the slides F contains a plunger G, normally pressed outward by a sprin H, which is coiled around the plunger-stem within an enlargement or chamber F of the slide F. I prefer to connect the plungers G by means of a bar I, so that by pressing the said bar both plungers may be forced inward together. In order to hold the plungers in their inner position against the tension of springs H, I may secure a spring-catch J to the metal strip E, said catch`being adapted to engage the bar I and hold it down close to the strip E, as shown in Fig. 5. By pressing the end of the catch J sidewise the operator will release the bar I and the plungers G, so as to allow them to move outward under the influence of the springs H.

The outward movement of the plungers G effects the locking of the slides F to the sockets D in any suitable manner, three different ways being illustrated in the drawings. As

shown in Figs. 3 and 4, I provide a head G2 at the inner end of the plunger-stem G, which head has a conical surface arranged to engage the ends of a U-shaped contractile spring K, the central portion of which embraces the stem G', which is adapted to slide therethrough. It will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 3 that when the plunger G and the head G2 are forced inward the spring K-will 'contract so that its ends will be within the outline of the slide F. When, however, the plunger is in its outer position, as illustrated, the tapering head'G2 forces the ends of the spring K outward through slots F2 of the slide F and into engagement with the roughened inner surface of the socket D.

Thus the sockets D and slides F are locked against longitudinal movement relatively to each other. Whenever it is desired to change the adjustment of the slides relatively to the sockets or to remove the slides F entirely from the socket D for the purpose of inserting additional leaves L or removing them, the plungers are forced inward by pressing on the bar I, so as to release the slides F from the sockets D.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, a two-armed spring K', having a tendency to contract, is secured to the inner end of the plunger-stem G', and

Athis spring is adapted to engage the beveled inner end F3 of the slide F. Thus normally under the influence of the spring H the ends of the spring K will be forced outward into engagement with the screw-threads or other corrugations on the inner face of the socket D. When, however, the plunger G is forced in- IOO ward, the ends of the spring K will be disengaged from the said screw-threads or other corrugations on the inner surface of the socket D, thus releasing the slide F from the socket D.

In the form of construction illustrated by Figs. 7 and 8 the plunger G has a stem G and a taper head G2 of substantially the same construction as shown in Fig. 3. The slide F has an inner end portion which is screwthreaded or otherwise roughened on its outer surface, so as to be capable of locking engagement with the correspondingly-roughened inner surface of the socket D. This screwthreaded portion F4 of the slide F is slitted lengthwise, so as to be somewhat elastic, and is of such dimensions that it will not engage the roughened inner surface of the socket D when the plunger G and its head G2 are forced inward. When, however, the head G2 is .in its outer position, as shown, it will engage a beveled surface or 'shoulder F5 of the slide, and thus force the spli t portion F4 into engagement with the socket D to form a locking connection.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the nature of my invention. IVhile I have shown the bars or strips C E secured to the covers A connected by the fieXible back B, it will be obvious the structure might be used without the covers A and back B.

I claim as my invention- 1. A binder or holder for leaves and the like, comprising two sets of connected members, the members of one set being adapted to enter those of the other set, spring-pressed plungers mounted in the members of one set, and locking mechanism, operated by the movement of said plungers, to connect one set of members with the other, or disconnect it therefrom.

2. A binder or holder for leaves or the like, comprising a socket roughened on its inner surface, a slide adapted to be inserted into the said socket, a spring-pressed plunger in the slide, and means, operated by the movement of said plunger, for locking the slide to the socket, or releasing it therefrom.

3. A binder or holder for leaves or the like, comprising a socket roughened on its inner surface, a slide adapted to be inserted into the said socket, a spring-pressed plunger movable in the slide, and elastic means, controlled by the movement ofthe plunger, for locking the slide to the socket, or releasing it therefrom.

4. A binder or holder for leaves or the like, comprising a socket, a slide adapted. to enter the said socket, a plunger movable in the slide, mechanism operated by the movement of said plunger, for locking said slide to the` socket or releasing it therefrom, and a catch for holding the plunger in its releasing position.

5. A binder or hold er for leaves or the like, comprising a set of connected sockets, a set of connected slides adapted to enter the said sockets, connected plungers movable in the said slides, locking mechanism operated by the movement of said plungers for locking said slides to the sockets or releasing them, and a catch for holding the plungers in the releasing position. 6. A binder or holder for leaves or the like, comprising a strip or bar and sockets carried thereby, another strip or bar carrying slides adapted to enter the said sockets, connected plungers movable in the said slides, locking mechanism, operated by the movement of said plungers, to connect or disconnect the said slides and sockets, and a catch for holding the plungers in the releasing position.

LEON SUSSMAN. 

